Biafra: IPOB New Haven opens extension, charges members to dispel fear from memory

ENUGU— “IPOB is legalized,” was the word that came out from almost all the speakers who seized the center stage at the maiden opening ceremony of the New Haven extension unit in Enugu State on Sunday.

The inauguration which witnessed huge number of residents of the area in attendance, commenced shortly after a brief procession around the nooks and crannies of the vicinity by members of the pioneer New Haven zonal family of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

Apart from the Coordinator of the pioneer zone, Mr. Nku Joseph and his co-executives, the IPOB Enugu State Women leader, Mrs Ifeoma Chukwu, Enugu-based Biafra musical artiste, Don Prince and other reputable Biafra war veterans, were among the personalities that graced the event.

In his address, Nku Joseph urged the people to eschew any form of fear in their resolve to join the struggle for freedom.

According to him, “We came here today for the purpose of reaching out to our people in this area to join us in our pursuit for freedom. I want to encourage everybody in this community to come out and support Biafra for it is time for our freedom.

“IPOB is legalized, we should not be afraid to answer our name or identity which is Biafra. We know Hausa/Fulanis as Arewa, Yorubas as Oduduwa and nobody arrests them. Then why can't we be proud enough to answer our name Biafra? Is it because when we do so they'll arrest us?”

Mr Joseph added that IPOB is a non-violent freedom fighting outfit and that he has not seen where its members confronted the Nigerian security agencies in a violent manner since joining the struggle.

He also urged members to admonish their relations inhabiting the north to vacate the region before the October 1st deadline, so as not to be visited with the mayhem and irrational killings as was recorded by history many years ago.

The State women leader, Mrs Chukwu, in her remarks, advocated for the inclusion and active participation of more women in the area, stressing that the role of women in the struggle cannot be over-emphasized.

“Women are powerful and has vital role to play in this struggle. I only have ten names here and I don't want us to lag behind. I urge all women present here today to go out there in your areas to evangelize for more women to join the struggle which is more of spiritual than physical. So I would want the next time I come back here, the women should outnumber the men,” she stated.

Also in his remarks, Chibuzor Williams popularly known as Don Prince, urged the people not to entertain fear in the struggle for Biafra freedom, adding that Biafra is closer than they envisaged.

He tasked them enter their vicinity to alert their neighbours and other people around them about the setting up of a new IPOB unit in their area, stating that time is fast approaching when people will be eager and searching to join any family unit in their domain.

He seized the opportunity to take a swipe on President Muhammadu Buhari who he taunted to have been chased out from his office by common rodents, saying that the spirit of Biafra will continue to pursue its oppressors, including Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo state whom according to him, was violently slapped by some unknown spirits.

On their part, members of the New Haven family extension who was intimated on the rules and regulations guiding IPOB, expressed unreserved happiness for the establishment of the new unit in their locality, promising their unalloyed support to the Biafran cause.

An interim leadership of the unit which was to serve the people for the period of three months was inaugurated at the end of the event.

- Chukwuemeka Edem

  Enugu Media Team